The balance of the Universes trembled.
What once stood eternal began to fracture.
When the laws of existence shifted, the Universe's Will would normally awaken, punishing all who threatened its stability. Yet this time… even the Will itself recoiled. For what surged now was not a mere Immortal technique, nor a forbidden Dao art—it was a power that surpassed comprehension.
This disturbance spread through all realms. The Mortal World, the Higher Universes, even the Above Universes shook in dread. The Grand Dao of the Higher Universe itself could do nothing but remain silent.
---
The Mortal World Reacts
Across the Mortal World, great beings stirred.
Origin Emperors, Masters of Origin, cultivators who normally gazed upon mortals as ants, all lifted their heads.
Each one felt the same truth:
"Only an Immortal could cause this. If their wrath is not contained, even the foundation of the Mortal World shall collapse."
Thirty Masters of Origin joined forces. Their divine senses stretched across endless space, tracing the disturbance.
At last, they found the source:
A distant Universe, quaking under the wrath of a woman cloaked in divine light.
Their hearts sank.
"Whose fate has ended today? To anger such an Immortal is to stand against destiny itself."
---
Zhou Fang's Awakening
Meanwhile, in another fractured space—
Zhou Fang lay upon shattered stone. His robes were torn, blood dripping from his lips, yet his gaze remained calm and cold.
Before him stood that woman. Her presence was like a blazing sun, yet also like an abyss that devoured all light.
Zhou Fang's heart trembled, but his expression remained still.
"Why… why does she protect me? My father cast me aside, yet this stranger shields me with the weight of heaven itself. Her aura… it shakes my bloodline. Could she… truly be part of me?"
A warmth flickered in his chest. It was foreign—an emotion he had long abandoned. He crushed it ruthlessly.
"Sentiment is weakness. The moment one relies on others, they place their life in another's hands. I vowed long ago—my fate shall belong to me alone."
And yet, as much as he denied it, her presence lingered in his bones.
---
The Ferry's Wrath
The woman—Immortal Ferry—unleashed her intent.
The air quivered. Across countless realms, Outsiders shuddered. Souls cracked, bodies withered, and even eternal beings trembled.
The Eternal Outsiders, dreaded across Universes, felt despair. Even their rank—beyond Invincible experts—seemed meaningless before her.
One Eternal Outsider, desperate, bowed low:
"Great One… we are dust before you. We have never sought to provoke you. Why will you not let us exist in peace?"
Ferry's gaze was colder than frozen steel.
"You dared to lay a hand upon my son. You dare speak of peace? Seek your peace in the ashes of your next life."
Killing intent surged.
The Outsiders panicked.
"You may kill us… but when our God descends, none shall save your son!"
Her eyes sharpened, her voice booming like thunder:
"Your so-called God? Let him come. If Heaven itself dares stand against me, I will destroy Heaven.
My own clan betrayed me, turned their blades against my blood. For this, I abandoned the Immortal World, I defied the Elders… all for my son."
The Eternal Outsider whispered madly:
"Our God is not Immortal… He is beyond Immortality. When He descends, you shall learn despair."
Ferry's face turned to ice. She flicked her finger.
A spark leapt forth.
The Eternal Outsider, his armies, and the entire Universe itself vanished in silence—burned into nothing.
Only Zhou Fang remained, encased in the shield woven from her essence.
---
Zhou Fang's Thoughts
Zhou Fang's vision blurred. His consciousness caught fragments of her words—
She had called him "son".
"Mother… could it be? For so long, I thought myself abandoned. My father despised me, the clan rejected me… yet she calls me her son? No. I cannot… I must not…"
For the first time, Zhou Fang fainted.
Not from pain, nor fear—
But from weakness.
---
The Ferry's Farewell
Immortal Ferry looked at him gently. For a brief moment, the ruthless light in her eyes softened.
"My son… this projection was my only chance to reach you. It is spent. Live on, Zhou Fang. Survive, even if the world turns against you. Survive, even if the Heavens despise you."
Her essence seeped into him, healing every wound, refining his foundation. With a wave of her hand, she sent him spiraling back into the Earth .
The moment she vanished—thirty Masters of Origin descended.
They bowed deeply.
"Immortal Ferry, forgive our intrusion. But your act… the annihilation of an entire Universe… threatens the balance of all Mortal Realms. We beg you, grant us your reason."
Her projection turned her gaze upon them. Her words were like blades of ice:
"Do I, an Immortal, require the approval of insects to act?"
The thirty trembled. Even their souls felt torn.
They fell prostrate.
"Forgive us, Immortal Ferry…"
A moment later, her projection dissolved. Silence returned.
---
Zhou Fang Returns
Upon the earth of the earth, Zhou Fang opened his eyes. His body was whole.
He sat in silence for a long time. Then he clenched his fists.
His eyes were dark, deep, and merciless.
"So… she is my mother. And yet, she is gone. My father—he will answer. If he refuses, then I will carve the truth from his mind ."
---
Dao Poem — Ruthless Resolve
Bloodline is a chain of rust,
Affection a blade that dulls the heart.
Those who cling to warmth,
Are the first to freeze in winter.
Heaven praises love,
But love cannot break the cage of fate.
Only strength endures.
And strength asks for no one.